INDIANAPOLIS — Drum Corps International (DCI) will present the “March On!” Telethon, a worldwide online fundraising event, on Saturday, August 8, beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
Hosted by DCI broadcasting veterans Steve Rondinaro and Dan Potter, the three-hour presentation will feature numerous special guests as well as scholarship presentations, announcement of the winners of the 2020 DCI Performers Showcase competition and other surprises — all taking place on the night traditionally reserved for the highly-anticipated DCI World Championship Finals. The live stream of the festivities will be available on DCI’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and will be streamed free of charge simultaneously on partner site FloMarching.com and on the FloSports app.
“With the cancelation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of drum corps participants, fans, partners and supporters around the world have lost out on an exciting season celebrating the highest levels of achievement in marching music performance,” said DCI CEO Dan Acheson. “Although the stadium lights are off and our stage is dark right now, it is our goal to bring together the global drum corps community for a few hours to celebrate a shared passion for the drum corps art form and to help us make sure that the spotlight will again illuminate these outstanding young performers for years to come.”
“Although nothing can replace the excitement of the DCI World Championship Finals on the second Saturday in August, it will be great to bring the entire DCI ‘family’ together for a few hours virtually,” said telethon anchor and DCI Hall of Fame member Steve Rondinaro. “This has been one bummer of a summer because of COVID-19. But we’re going to focus on the future and the determination to ‘March On!’ once it’s safe to return to the DCI Tour and the greatest stage in marching music.”
Capping off the evening’s festivities will be a special virtual performance of “Hope for America,” composed by DCI Hall of Fame members Jay Bocook and Paul Rennick. This selection is from the program “Together As One” designed by Varsity Performing Arts, a division of Varsity Spirit — the global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps and competitions. Created in part as a response to the extraordinary circumstances that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Together As One” provides a performance opportunity for bands and spirit programs across the nation, and is the result of three months of collaboration between some of the nation’s top marching arts designers, music education organizations and spirit leaders. Current and former participants from DCI’s World and Open Class corps and SoundSport teams will be invited to participate in this remarkable world premiere performance.